Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIvs ZV-E1
OM System
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019)
Starting from £699 new
Best for Travel & lightweight outdoor photography
View Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel & Lightweight Outdoor Photography — Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019): The lightest weather-sealed MFT camera — compact, travel-friendly, and capable with 7.5-stop IBIS in a body that fits in a jacket pocket.
Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
Who should buy what
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019)
- Travel photographers who want a compact, weather-sealed MFT body
- Outdoor photographers upgrading from the E-M10 who want better sealing
- Enthusiasts who want strong IBIS in a lightweight, portable system
- Photographers who want a capable travel camera that won't weigh them down
ZV-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The olympus om-d e-m5 iii has the highest resolution at 20mp; the olympus om-d e-m5 iii is the most affordable; only the olympus om-d e-m5 iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (2019) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase/contrast AF with face/eye detection | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 7.5-stop 5-axis IBIS | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 10fps mechanical | 10fps |
| Battery Life | 390 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 414g body only | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 125.3 × 85.2 × 49.7mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | 0.35" OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Olympus OM-D E-M5 III | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Low Light | — |
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